Nutrition Notes

Which Would Be Healthier to Use—Sour Cream or Greek Yogurt?

According to the USDA, regular sour cream has twice as many calories, four times as much fat and about a quarter of the amount of protein as whole milk plain Greek yogurt. For these reasons, Greek yogurt has sour cream beat.

Are Cranberries Healthy?

Like other berries, cranberries contain heart-healthy antioxidants. At just 46 calories, a cup of cranberries will give you about 13% of your daily fiber and 16% of your daily vitamin C, per the USDA.

Tips from the Test Kitchen

How to Make Graham Cracker Crumbs

To make graham cracker crumbs, process about 8 graham cracker sheets in a food processor until fine. You can also finely crush them in a large zip-top bag with a rolling pin.

Why Should I Bake the Graham Cracker Crust First?

It's important to bake the graham cracker crust before adding the filling. Baking the crust firms it up, preventing it from getting too soggy from the filling. Par-baking also gives it structure and a crisp texture which helps keep the crust from falling apart when cutting.

How Do I Cut the Cheesecake into Bars?

For cleanly cut bars, run a sharp knife under hot water. Cut the cheesecake into 9 bars, wiping the knife clean in between cuts. Cleaning the knife in between cuts prevents the graham cracker crumbs from sticking to the sides of the cheesecake bars.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Freeze Cheesecake Bars?

Yes, you can! You can freeze the whole cheesecake or individual cheesecake bars. To freeze cheesecake bars, place them on a rimmed baking sheet and freeze until firm. Wrap each cheesecake bar in plastic wrap and store them in an airtight container or freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months.

Additional reporting by Carrie Myers and Jan Valdez

Ingredients

1 ¼ cups graham cracker crumbs (about 8 cracker sheets)
4 tablespoons unsalted butter (1/2 stick), melted
Zest of 1 large lemon, divided
1 (8 ounce) package reduced-fat cream cheese, at room temperature
⅓ cup granulated sugar plus 2 tablespoons, divided
¼ cup sour cream or plain strained yogurt, such as Greek-style
1 large egg
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
⅛ teaspoon salt
1 cup fresh or frozen (not thawed) cranberries

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat an 8-inch-square baking pan with cooking spray.
Stir graham cracker crumbs, butter and half the lemon zest together in a medium bowl. Press the mixture firmly and evenly into the prepared pan. Bake until lightly browned around the edges, about 10 minutes. Let cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, thoroughly whisk softened cream cheese, 1/3 cup sugar, sour cream (or yogurt), egg, lemon juice, vanilla, salt and the remaining lemon zest together in a medium bowl. (Alternatively, combine ingredients in a food processor and process until smooth; transfer to a medium bowl and set aside.)
Add cranberries and the remaining 2 tablespoons sugar to a food processor. Pulse until well chopped. Add to the cream cheese mixture and stir until incorporated. Pour the filling evenly over the baked crust. Bake until the center appears to be just set, 35 to 40 minutes. Cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate until cold, about 4 hours more.

Equipment

8-inch-square baking pan, food processor

Originally appeared: EatingWell.com, December 2022

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

253	Calories
16g	Fat
25g	Carbs
4g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 9
Serving Size 1 bar
Calories 253
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 25g	9%
Dietary Fiber 1g	4%
Total Sugars 16g
Added Sugars 10g	20%
Protein 4g	8%
Total Fat 16g	21%
Saturated Fat 9g	45%
Cholesterol 60mg	20%
Vitamin A 494IU	10%
Vitamin C 4mg	4%
Vitamin D 5IU	1%
Vitamin E 1mg	4%
Folate 27mcg	7%
Vitamin K 4mcg	3%
Sodium 226mg	10%
Calcium 49mg	4%
Iron 1mg	6%
Magnesium 10mg	2%
Potassium 91mg	2%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.